Elsie had a happy childhood. She received Jesus as Saviour at 12. She sang in the church choir and taught Sunday school. She was sensitive spiritually and made a commitment to serve the Lord. She attended Steinbach (Man.) Bible School. Elsie met Jake when he was studying at MB Bible College, Winnipeg, and she was in nurse’s training at St. Boniface Hospital. Her sister, the college secretary, passed their notes back and forth. Elsie graduated as a registered nurse in 1948. She was an on-call nurse at Bethesda Hospital, Steinbach, while Jake taught school on permit for a year. In 1950, they moved to B.C. where Jake took normal school. Jake and Elsie lived in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Elsie fulfilled her roles as wife, mother, and pastoral support with faithfulness and prayer. Cooking and baking were her delight. She said that when guests came over, she did not entertain – she was hospitable. Laughter came easily for Elsie. Despite financial stress, she never succumbed to worry or complaint. She prayed, worked hard, and trusted God to supply her needs. She made birthdays special, hiding coins in the cake. In her 90s, she became weak, and in the last years, could not stand or walk. She was always appreciative of Jake’s daily visits and the care she received at Donwood Manor, Winnipeg. Faith permeated Elsie’s life, and God’s love gave her purpose.
